🌍Groundwater is a vital natural resource that supports ecosystems, agriculture, and public water supplies. However, it is increasingly under pressure from climate change, over-abstraction, and pollution. While solutions such as water reuse, buffering, and infiltration can help reduce demand and support natural recharge, groundwater extraction will remain necessary across many regions.
In recent years, water scarcity has become a growing concern not only in traditionally dry regions, but across much of Europe. Extended periods of drought have made it clear that sustainable groundwater management is essential—requiring both the careful regulation of abstraction and the protection of recharge areas.
🛠️The TIGDA project (Tackling Illegal Groundwater Drilling and Abstractions) was launched to support Member States in addressing the complex challenges of illegal groundwater use. It focuses on sharing knowledge, developing practical tools, and promoting consistent enforcement practices across Europe.
📝In the first phase, TIGDA collected information from Member States using online questionnaires and virtual meetings. This helped gather insights into the scale and nature of illegal groundwater activities.
🔍The second phase, carried out in 2022, included technical site visits to observe field conditions, exchange best practices, and better understand the enforcement challenges authorities face.
📋Based on these efforts, TIGDA produced a guidance document to support authorities in detecting and managing illegal drilling and abstraction. It offers targeted inspection techniques, practical checklists, and clear recommendations for assessing compliance at various types of groundwater installations.
📑The final project report, published in 2024, outlines a four-level framework for identifying and responding to illegal activities. It ranges from initial filtering and detection (Level 1) to the collection of evidence strong enough to support automatic penalties (Level 4). The report also highlights the role of new technologies—such as Earth observation data, drones, and geospatial analysis—in strengthening monitoring and enforcement capabilities.
👉Please, visit the “Project Outputs” section on the right to view the project reports and the guidance.
🚀Next Cyle(2025-2027)
Looking ahead, Phase 3 of TIGDA will focus on implementation. The project will support Member States in putting the recommendations into practice, adapting them to national and regional contexts. It will also encourage the integration of innovative technologies and help build the necessary infrastructure and capacity for long-term success.
Linking in with the Geospatial Intelligence for Environmental Compliance and Assessment (GIECA) project will provide additional benefits of integrating the knowledge discovered with TIGDA with the scope of the detection of environmental damage.
The synergies between the desired outcomes of the projects (TIGDA and GIECA) will enhance the reputation of IMPEL to have a strong emphasis on compliance of EU legislation.